Join the Regiment

Double the challenge

The added challenge is that by joining the Grenadiers you become one of the elite who combine the duty of The Queen's personal bodyguard with being a professional Infantry soldier employable anywhere in the world.

A Profession

Today's British Army is more than a job. It's a profession. The Grenadiers know that they have to compete with other employers for the best men in the country.

Times have changed. Yes, standards are still high and yes, it can be tough, but today as a Grenadier you have to combine the traditional skills of an Infantry Soldier with the new skills required of many professionals in the 21st century.

Training to be a Grenadier Guardsman

The training to become a grenadier Guardsman is undertaken in two distinct phases at Catterick in North Yorkshire. All aspects of the training courses are progressive, starting out at a basic level whilst you, as a recruit, will build your confidence, then become more challenged as your skills and knowledge increase:

PHASE ONE TRAINING

The course lasts for 12 weeks, and as a teaching course, means that you are not expected to know everything when you join. The aim of the course is to turn you, a civilian, into a soldier able to protect yourself and carry out all basic military skills.

THE PURSUIT OF FITNESS

The Army places physical fitness high on its list of priorities. Phase One training is progressive and with commitment, you will achieve the level of fitness required to finish the course.

In the first week, you complete a series of physical tests; sit ups, press ups, lifting weights and a mile and a half run.

To give a guide for how fit entrants need to be when starting, the run must be completed in less than eleven and a half minutes.

It is an impressive fact that, at the end of the course, you are able to march six miles carrying 35 pounds and then do a days work!

THE LESSONS AND TRAINING

The Phase One training course consists of indoor and outdoor lessons, each covering a great variety of subjects and skills.

INDOOR LESSONS

During the twelve week course, you will cover a lot of ground in the form of lessons and skills development. These range from survival on the battlefield to how to wear your uniform correctly. The majority of these lessons are taught by the platoon staff. Some of the lessons taught in the classroom include:

Map Reading

Rifle Lesson

Nuclear, biological and chemical survival

Moral understanding

Equal opportunities

First Aid

Battlefield Skills

Health and hygiene

OUTDOOR

Whilst most topics are introduced in the classroom, you are training for the Army and must be able to put what has been taught into practice outside, on training areas, in any weather conditions. For this reason, a large amount of instruction takes place outside. Some of the topics covered in outdoor lessons include:

Ranges (shooting)

Map reading

Foot drill and arms drill

Fire and movement

March and shoot

Platoon harbour drills

Patrolling skills

Movement at night

Adventurous training

You are twice the man in the Grenadier Guards!

After eight weeks of the Phase One training course, you undertake a week of 'adventurous training'. these activities are varied and may include: canoeing, rock-climbing, abseiling, swimming, mountain biking and quad biking, to name a few.

The adventurous training week is popular with both staff and recruits as it is a lot of fun. Coming almost halfway through the course, it's a welcome change from military training and is challenging, but in a different way. The atmosphere is more relaxed and provides an opportunity to get to know the training staff in a less formal atmosphere.

PHASE TWO TRAINING

Phase Two training will make you, a soldier, into an infantryman.

DISCIPLINE

Self-discipline is vital in the Army. This is certainly a strength that you will need to develop and use in order to complete Phase One training and progress to Phase Two. If you are prepared to put in the effort, the staff will teach you all you need to know to pass the course.

TRANING FOR THE REGIMENT IN CATTERICK

The Combat Infantryman's Course is the framework upon which all Regular Infantry training is based. It equips you with special skills needed to operate in a rifle platoon. Successful completion of the Combat Infantryman's Course marks the end of your initial Army training.

As a qualified combat infantryman you will then possess the fitness, knowledge and skills allowing you to join a battalion ready to deploy on operational tours. You will have gained an excellent foundation upon which to learn other specialist infantry skills such as driver, Milan missile operator, mortar man or radio operator. The training at Catterick also earns credit towards a national vocational qualification, Level 2.

SERVING WITH THE REGIMENT IN NIJMEGAN COMPANY

The Company enjoys the independence of its own transport, physical training instructors, snipers and pioneers. The Company is 108 strong and its role is to assist in ceremonial duties and military training.

THE HISTORY OF NIJMEGAN COMPANY

The Company was formed in 1994, from the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards and is based, at present, in London. It is ready for deployment anywhere in the world and engages in an overseas exercise once or twice a year.

BECOMING A GRENADIER GUARDSMAN

The Grenadier Guards becomes family and friends for all new Guardsmen and this settling in takes time. Guidance is given on the role and conduct of a Guardsman and the encouragement to develop the appropriate manner with which Grenadiers carry out all tasks.

Further training is given in diverse climates from deserts to Artic conditions, to build on the skills and fitness achieved during the first phases of training. Training tests the physical fitness already achieved and extends it to a level that equips a Guardsman to be fit at all times.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE FOR A GRENADIER GUARDSMAN

Life in the Regiment is taken at a more measured pace than Phase One and Two training and whilst new arrivals are still given a set programme and specific tasks to complete, they usually find that they have a little more time to complete them. The outline below gives an idea of the type of day that a Grenadier Guardsman can expect.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

The day can vary from live firing on Salisbury Plain to learning how to survive in the jungles of Belize. Your day may well include the following:

Rehearsals for a State Visit

Rugby, tennis, volleyball

Night attack rehearsals in the Kenyan Bush

Priming grenades and loading magazines

Nights out in London

The over-riding theme of life as a Grenadier Guardsman is variety. An enthusiastic approach and willingness to adapt to change and the unexpected are essential. All in all, life in the Grenadier Guards is never dull and promises a rewarding and stimulating future for all who can meet its challenges.

We need the best men available, are you up to it? For more details visit any Army Careers Office or click the hyperlink below:

Army Jobs Ensure you emphasise that it is the GRENADIER GUARDS that you are interested in joining

The Grenadier Guards Association is Registered Under the Charities Act, 1960 No.287265